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APPENDIX C RESOLUTION PASSED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL INTERRACIAL COMMISSION, SUMMER, 1948 We, the members of the regional inter-racial commission have carefully considered the educational situation as it exists here in Louisiana. We know that the statues of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana concerning separate school systems apply only to institutions supported by public funds. Since there is no legal restriction on our Catholic school system, whether primary or secondary, whether parochial or private, we realize that only the long-imbedded unchristian custom of segregation stands as an obstacle to the destruction of the segregated Catholicism which exists in our midst. We feel that under the inspiring and encouraging leadership of His Excellency, the Archbishop of New Orleans, we must overcome the anti-Christian custom with Christian principles. We therefore, go on record as heartily endorsing any step, even the least practical measure, that will lead to the abolition of segregation in the Catholic schools of Louisiana. As individuals, we welcome the opportunity to share the experience of Catholic instruction side by side with members of both races. We should like to have the pleasure of participating in the full life of the Mystical Body without embarrassment , without reference to, or worry about, the pagan customs which would separate the brethren of Christ from each other. We humbly submit this statement to His Excellency, as expressing the minds of the delegates to the Louisiana regional commission, having approved it in open meeting, Monday, July 12, 1948. 202  Black, White, and Catholic: New Orleans Interracialism 1947–1956 Christian Conscience 1, no. 6 (summer 1948), Joseph H. Fichter Papers. Anderson final pages 8/10/05 9:15 AM Page 202 ...

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